Speleothem

For secondary deposits, derived from concrete, lime, or mortar, outside the cave environment, see Calthemite.
Cave labeled with the six most common types of speleothems: flowstone, columns, drapery, stalagmites, stalactites and straws

A speleothem (/ˈspiːliəθɛm/; from Ancient Greek σπήλαιον (spḗlaion) 'cave' and θέμα (théma) 'deposit') is a geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural caves.[1] Speleothems most commonly form in calcareous caves due to carbonate dissolution reactions. They can take a variety of forms, depending on their depositional history and environment. Their chemical composition, gradual growth, and preservation in caves make them useful paleoclimatic proxies.

  1. ^ White, W. B. (2019). "Speleothems". Encyclopedia of Caves: 1006–17. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-814124-3.00117-5. ISBN 9780128141243.